Scott ponders extending NRL career

Dec 12, 2017 - 3:28 AM
Matt Scott hopes absence through injury can lengthen his career and improve his rugby league fundamentals as the 32-year-old entertains the thought of playing beyond 2019.

The North Queensland prop played just two games last season no thanks to a knee injury and will finally return to full training duties after Christmas.

Scott is contracted for two more seasons at the Cowboys and while he isn't sure what his body is capable of, admits playing in 2020 as a 35-year-old isn't off the table.

"It could lengthen the career a little bit, but I did get to work on some fundamentals (during the injury lay-off)," he said of the silver lining to his time on the sidelines.

"But we won't know until we get into the footy ... if it doesn't lengthen my career it at least gives me a bit more quality over the next few years."

The Australian and Queensland regular is expected to play in the Cowboys' pre-season trials and push his case for a representative recall.

Scott laughed off the notion that he should be feeling fresh after missing a season that included an NRL grand final appearance and successful State of Origin and Rugby League World Cup campaigns.

"Not really; I've been getting flogged," he said.

But he has enjoyed seeing a full complement at training after injury swept through the Cowboys' roster last season.

"But it's good to nearly have a full squad back, with nearly everyone on board ... it's a different feeling for myself and JT being here this time of year, but definitely a good one."

Scott hopes the grit displayed by his unheralded teammates to make the decider doesn't disappear now that he and co-captain Johnathan Thurston are back on deck, along with Melbourne Storm recruit Jordan McLean.

Teammate Gavin Cooper, who assumed the captaincy amid the injury crisis, can't see that happening though.

"There were plenty of guys that stood up in the tough times and we are going to need that and more next year," he said.